News

Calibrating Reaper's Combat Effect

5/30/2014

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pair of MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft recently flew an air-to-ground weapon
system evaluation over the Utah Test and Training Range. The
Reapers flew a two-ship formation for the first time en-route through civilian
air space from Creech AFB, Nev., to the range, according to the May 27 release. "There were no safety
violations; everything was spot on," said SMSgt. Gregory Young, 86th
Fighter Weapons Squadron evaluation production superintendent. Combat Hammer's
top-to-bottom evaluation of the Reaper's strike capability gives combatant
commanders "the necessary information to ensure they plan and pair the
correct number of weapons against any given type of target," explained
Maj. John Collier, 86th FWS test evaluator. Geographically separate aircrew
from several units, including the 432nd Attack Squadron at Ellsworth AFB, S.D.,
employed AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and GBU-12 Paveway II laser guided bombs
over the range, May 12-15.